Following formal clearance of policy guidelines, Pakistan’s telecom industry has shifted into preparation mode for upcoming 5G test trials in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), marking a key step toward next-generation mobile connectivity in the region.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, has already approved the framework for conducting 5G trials. The decision is now expected to be formally communicated to the telecom regulator in the coming days for implementation.

Officials said the focus has now moved from approval to execution, with regulatory and telecom stakeholders coordinating technical and operational arrangements required for testing.

GB caretaker Minister for Information Technology Ghulam Abbas said a detailed summary outlining the policy direction for 5G trials was prepared by the council secretariat. The proposal has been reviewed and endorsed by both the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of IT.

After final approval by the Prime Minister, the matter will be sent to the Ministry of IT, which will then authorize the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to initiate the trial process.

A PTA official confirmed that groundwork has already begun at the policy level. Once formal instructions are issued, telecom operators working in GB will be directed to prepare their networks and infrastructure for field testing.

The 5G spectrum auction conducted on March 10 did not include Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to separate regulatory frameworks governing these regions.

Currently, Pakistan’s telecom market includes Jazz, Zong, and the merged Ufone-Telenor entity, along with the Special Communications Organisation (SCO), which operates exclusively in GB and AJK.

Officials said PTA will work with all four operators to ensure readiness for trials, particularly in mountainous areas where network performance, coverage, and signal stability will be closely evaluated.

The testing phase will use selected frequency bands, including 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz, enabling operators to assess technical performance and deployment challenges before any future commercial rollout.

Authorities believe the trial phase will help shape Pakistan’s broader 5G strategy, especially for remote and high-altitude regions like Gilgit-Baltistan.